Welcome to Gaia! ::

Well, now that graduation festivities are finally over (I graduated from college!), I can get down to business. I think that being held accountable for this whole thing, even if it's just in an online journal, will help me really stick to it.

Why do I want to lose weight, you ask? I have three main reasons.

1. Health. My joints and heart would be much happier if I lost some more weight. Plus, I'd be lowering my risk for several weight-related diseases.

2. Athletics. I play sports, and it'd be great to be able to keep up with my more athletic friends, and have fun while doing it.

3. Looks. Yeah, I admit it, I'm a bit vain. I'm going to be in my friend's wedding next year, and I have to wear a dress. And, if I have to wear a dress in front of tons of people I don't really know, I want to look good in it. Besides, I'm tired of being "the fat one".



I plan to accomplish my goal through a combination of good ol' diet and exercise.

My diet will be what I like to call the grazing diet: eating less more often. Specifically, instead of three large meals, I will eat 5-6 smaller meals throughout the day, spaced approximately 3-5 hours apart (except for a longer gap at night). I plan to eat mainly low-fat, high protein foods, such as tuna and chicken, as well as some fat-free dairy, whole grain carbs, and fruits and veggies. Lots of water as well, no less than 80oz per day.

My exercise routine will consist of 6-7 days of cardio per week, with three days of weightlifting. I already have a weightlifting routine in place. It consists of a basic set of 10 or so exercises performed at different weights and repetitions over 6 separate days (2 weeks); I monitor my performance in that aspect via a spreadsheet. Cardio exercises tend to be done using the elliptical machine (to preserve my knees), but I do go jogging and play sports from time to time.


At this time, I know I want to lose weight, but since I'm lifting weights, that might not be the best indicator of progress. So, I will provide weekly weights and measurements to track my progress in multiple ways.

Week 1, Day 2: 4-30-07

Food eaten:
Fat-free yogurt with raisin bran as granola
1 can tuna fish and some crackers
More of those crackers (2 "meals")
Chicken and veggie stir fry
Apple

Water drank:
~80 oz

Exercise:
Routine 1.1 of weightlifting, 30 min cardio (500 cal)

Notes:
I like those crackers too much. But, they're whole grain, at least, and no artificial crap.

Week 1, Day 4: 5-2-07

Food eaten:
Fat-free yogurt with cranberries added
cheesestick
tunafish and crackers
chicken and a salad (lettuce and fat-free Italian dressing)
cookies sweatdrop
an orange, and some baby kosher dill pickles

Water drank:
~70 oz

Exercise:
Lifting routine 1.2; 30 min elliptical (500 cal); 1 hr tennis

Notes:
Curse you, girl scout cookies! Otherwise, not too bad of a day. Good thing I exercised a bit more than usual, maybe that'll help cancel out my cookie eating.